I buy into a lot of the hype generated by baseball "events". I buy into the hype of the All-Star Game, the World Series, Opening Day and the July 31st trade deadline. Two things I do not buy into: the World Baseball Classic and the annual All-Star Game Home Run Derby. Sure, I'll watch it and I hope Ryan Howard wins the thing, but I just don't get as excited about it as Major League Baseball wishes I did. The whole thing is a little too long and contrived for me, and I'd much rather they broadcast the Futures Game during prime time than the extended commercial of the Home Run Derby. (I'm starting to sound like an old man, aren't I?)I attended the Home Run Derby in 1996 at the Vet when the All-Star Game was hosted by Philadelphia. I went with my friend Mike and I don't remember much of the actual derby. I do remember it was held in the afternoon and I remember there being roughly twenty Major League mascots on the field, joining the Phillie Phanatic for the festivities. For some reason, Mike had his picture taken with the Pirate Parrot.
Baseball Almanac tells me that Barry Bonds won the Derby in '96 with 17 home runs, followed by Mark McGwire's 15. By comparison, in 2005 Bobby Abreu won the Derby with a staggering 41 home runs which lends credence to the poorly kept secret that MLB uses tennis ball-like substitutes for the event. Bobby's power numbers in '05 fell off drastically after the the Derby, as he hit only six home runs the rest of the season, after belting 18 home runs in the first half.
I was there in 2005. I'm with you in that the derby is not as exciting as it was because it is simply too long, but there was excitement in the crowd the night he hit all those homers in the first round.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I am even worse...and yes, I am an old man, introduce the teams...sing the national anthem as it is supposed to be sung, throw out the first ball, and let the game begun...1st pitch 7:15 pm.
ReplyDeleteOoh - nice Chachi card
ReplyDeleteI'm watching it now, and it's already too long. I wish Ryan was batting first . . .
ReplyDeleteDF - That was incredible wasn't it? I can't imagne how exciting it was to actual be there.
It was indeed great. We went with the intention of just bopping around because we expected to be bored to tears. Since it was in our backyard, we had to go. By the time he got on his streak, we were totally locked in. One of his second round homers we just missed on as it whizzed about four rows past us. We spent the whole derby going from right to left depending on who was hitting. Great fun.
ReplyDeleteWent in 1994 too, that seemed a lot different by comparision. It was midday and it seemed a lot shorter than whats on now - that's probably due to prime time TV.